It is a time of growth for Grand Rapids Urban Young Life. Lateefah Gofoe has been named the new Area Director of Grand Rapids Urban Young Life. Lateefah is no stranger to the Grand Rapids community, having been born and raised there, and a proud product of Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Lateefah and Joe Gofoe with their son, Joe.
“I’ve carried this community with me in every city that I’ve lived in,” says Lateefah, an alum of Ottawa Hills High School, Howard University in Washington, DC (Business Administration), and Grand Valley State University (Masters of Public Administration). After living and working in New York City for a time, Lateefah returned to Grand Rapids in 2008.
Once back in Grand Rapids, Lateefah married her longtime friend Joe Gofoe, who is responsible for introducing her to Young Life. Joe has been involved with the mission for fifteen years.
Since 2010, Lateefah has served in various volunteer Young Life roles and finds great joy and fulfillment taking kids to Young Life camp each summer.
Lateefah (pictured center) with leaders from Wedgwood Young Life—including her husband Joe Gofoe (pictured far right) and Wedgwood YL Coordinator Sara Webb (in between them).
“I love that every single year we get one kid on camera dancing like no one’s watching and it’s always the most unexpected student! They just get swept up in the pure joy of camp,” reflects Lateefah, who is energized by music and dancing herself.
When asked what she appreciates most about Young Life, Lateefah responded, “I love the fact that Young Life is accessible and relevant to all young people…I think of Young Life as a fellowship along the way, encouraging a boldness in a young person who might otherwise be bashful.”
Lateefah (right) with Kendra, a student athlete from Ottawa Hills High School.
Lateefah’s vision and prayer for Grand Rapids Urban is to get out there and connecting with the young people. “We are tasked with introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith, but we know that God will be the one to truly transform them and make them new (Luke 5:36).”
“Time is not our greatest commodity—it’s energy,” remarks Lateefah. “As leaders, we must bring energy and passion to our mission. My hope is to be the most excited person in the room—I’m excited and encouraged by the greatness of God and all of the young people that He wants to get to know more deeply.”
Lateefah and Joe share a passion for Christ and for young people. But they are also proud parents of two young sons—Joe who is 4.5 years old and Oak who is 4 months old.
“We are surrounded by an amazing village of family and friends who help us instill God’s best in our boys.” Lateefah and Joe are also active members of their church, The Edge Urban Fellowship.
Lateefah and Joe with their son, Joe.
When thinking about her love of music and dance, Lateefah says, “God answers my prayers by putting a song on my heart. He knows how to get my attention. In my spare time in an ideal world, I would be taking voice and dance lessons. But as a mom of two small children, I don’t always have the opportunity. I’ve learned to see my time with the boys as a gift—a God appointed time to experience the freedom and exploration of childhood. It’s awesome!”
This fall, Lateefah will officially join the Young Life ministry already led by a supportive and active YL committee and by Community Director, Quentin Henry, who has 15 years of experience serving Grand Rapids Urban YL.
Please join us in welcoming Lateefah to this position and praying for her and for Grand Rapids Urban Young Life. You can follow what God is doing in Grand Rapids Urban YL here.
